What you're saying: On corruption and gun culture

Mississippi earns its reputation for the most corrupt state in nation

I have stated the following before but it is worth repeating again and again. Mississippi has been identified as the most politically corrupt state in the nation. It has also been recognized as the least educated state in the nation. A less educated population is more easily deceived by corrupt politicians that know how to manipulate them even to the point that they are voting against their own best interest. That is exactly what is currently happening in our state.

These "unaware" citizens are being led to believe that we need "less government". Under this guise, Republicans are now slashing government services and jobs in order to pay for the hundreds of millions that they gave away to corporations.

They are also now trying to strip Mississippi's attorney general of the ability to sue companies that take advantage of unsuspecting Mississippians. Attorney General Jim Hood just recovered an astonishing 32 million dollars on behalf of the citizens of this state.... and the Republicans in our legislature want to eliminate this? Their actions are what I call, "legalized corruption".

This should be no surprise, coming from Republicans; after all, they adore the most corrupt president this country has ever known.

It is my guess that Mississippi will retain it's No. 1 place as the most corrupt state in the nation.

Camille Wright

Brandon

Guns in classrooms proposal calls out for due diligence

A recent Clarion Ledger editorial thoughtfully considered in some depth, the ramifications of arming school teachers, ("Bill to arm teachers needs much more thought", March 1). The piece ended with the final observation that, "Due diligence, not a knee-jerk reaction, is needed". One could not agree more.

Whatever your opinion on guns, the only way you are going to stop a determined shooter is to have armed, determined individuals confront them! Whether you do it with vetted, trained and concealed carry armed teachers, policemen, security guards, soldiers, or even someone else, is where the due diligence comes in.

But remember, the guns are already out there and the clock is ticking.

What should he tell his daughter about the NRA?

Today I had to explain to my seven-year-old why people have such easy access to semi-automatic weapons and are able to massacre children in schools. She wondered why our government didn't make it harder to buy those kinds of weapons, or why our Senators, Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran, or Congressman Trent Kelly, did so little to protect her and her friends and teachers.

How should I tell her that it's because the NRA pays politicians to prevent sensible laws? How do I explain to her why so many of her state and federal leaders have decided that her life is worth less than the right of someone to own a military-grade weapon? What would you have me tell her, gentlemen?

Miguel Centellas

Oxford

Thanks to Dick's Sporting Goods for their gun decision

Assault weapons will no longer be sold at Dick's Sporting Goods. One of America largest gun retailers decided to end selling assault rifles, lawmakers won't do anything about it and our gun culture and political environment are polarized. Our private sector retailers can simply stop selling these products. Case closed.